6 of the world’s biggest Parkinson’s fundraising walks

If you’ve been inspired by Harry McMurtry, and want to take on a walking challenge while raising funds for Parkinson’s, there are plenty of annual events to choose from. Here – in no particular order – is a round-up of some of the biggest Parkinson’s walks, worldwide

1. US: New York Unity Walk – Unity Walk

More than 10,000 people will gather in Central Park, New York, to walk 1.4 miles to raise funds for Parkinson’s research. Now in its 23rd year, Parkinson’s Unity Walk is the largest grassroots Parkinson’s fundraiser in the US, raising more than $20m to date. The next Unity Walk will take place in April 2017.

Unity Walk

2. UK: Walk for Parkinson’s – Parkinson’s UK

From now until October 2016 there are 13 walks taking place wall over the UK to choose from. Walkers are asked to raise a suggested minimum of £50 and can choose between completing a longer or shorter distance and are provided with a free Parkinson’s UK T-shirt and a fundraising pack.

Walk for Parkinson’s

3. Australia: A Walk in the Park – Parkinson’s Australia

Every dollar raised by ‘A Walk in the Park’ helps to support people living with Parkinson’s in Australia. It’s reported to be the country’s largest annual community event, and walkers are given the choice, of completing a 2km, 4km or 5km walk that all begin at 11am local time at the following locations:

24 August 2016:         Adelaide Boynton Park
24 of August 2016:    Victoria Melbourne, Federation Square
18 September 2016:  Perth, Perry Lakes Reserve

A Walk in the Park

4. Denmark: Parkinson Unity Walk – Parkinson Foreningen

Copenhageners will welcome walkers and from all over Scandinavia and Europe for the 6th annual Unity Walk on 20 May 2017.
Like the flagship Unity Walk in New York’s Central Park, the Copenhagen Parkinson Unity Walk aims to increase public awareness of the condition, as well as emphasising the importance of exercise for the wellbeing of people living with Parkinson’s. The two-mile walk, led by patron Countess Alexandra and association ambassadors, will start at the Danish parliament buildings at Christiansborg Palace and finishes at Kings Garden.

5. Canada: Parkinson SuperWalk

Parkinson SuperWalk is the largest nationwide fundraising event for Parkinson Canada. Around 10,000 organise and take part in the events each year. Parkinson SuperWalk 2016 will take place on 10-11 September in communities throughout Canada. In 2015 CAN$2.7m was raised and since 1990, more than $33 million has been raised for Parkinson’s support services, research, advocacy and education.

Parkinson’s SuperWalk

6. US: Moving Day – National Parkinson Foundation

The National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) is running ‘Moving Day’ walking events across the US until November. All walkers are given the choice to complete the walk in a team or individually and to spread the word online, using the hashtag #whywefight

In 2015 more than 14,000 walkers and 1,335 teams completed the walks, raising US$3.2m. Since 2011 the NPF has raised more than $8m for Parkinson’s causes.

Moving Day

Read more: The 500-mile walk that raised $750,000 for Parkinson’s research